Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

Ultrasound guided breast biopsy is a quick, non-surgical office procedure for obtaining tissue samples from suspicious breast abnormalities found on ultrasound.

The minimally invasive procedure is performed with local anesthesia to the skin and deeper breast tissue. After the anesthetic is given, the physician makes a small incision in the breast. Multiple samples are taken from the biopsy site and sent to the pathologist to study. A 3mm titanium clip is frequently deployed into the biopsy site for future follow up. 

An ultrasound guided biopsy may be recommended if you have:

• A distortion or change in your breast tissue;
• A suspicious solid mass

After the procedure, steri-strips are placed on the tiny skin incision and aftercare instructions are given to the patient.  The patient returns the next day for the physician to check the biopsy site and review the results of the test.
Although ultrasound guided breast biopsy is minimally invasive, there is a small risk of bleeding whenever a biopsy is performed.  For this reason, if you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, we ask that you stop taking them seven days before the procedure with your doctor’s approval.  Please inform our staff if you have any history of bleeding problems or have been taking blood thinners.
For more information please go to the American College of Radiology.